Graduates of the 33rd annual class of Leadership Plainview celebrated the occasion with a special luncheon held at the Chamber of Commerce on May 10. Those receiving diplomas included Kim Griego (front left), ... more

Graduates of the 33rd annual class of Leadership Plainview celebrated the occasion with a special luncheon held at the Chamber of Commerce on May 10. Those receiving diplomas included Kim Griego (front left), ... more

Leadership Plainview graduates 33rd Class

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The Plainview Chamber of Commerce announced the 33rd graduating class of Leadership Plainview on Wednesday, May 10.

Departing from the typical classroom lecture model, the nine-month leadership development program takes instead a dynamic approach which allows participants an opportunity to polish their leadership skills and to learn about the local community. Class discussions and field trips throughout the area offer class members a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the community’s inner workings.

Chamber Executive Director Linda Morris remarked, “The Plainview Chamber has several programs that are ‘shining stars,’ and Leadership Plainview is one of those. The business community in Plainview understands that the more we know about our businesses as a whole, the more we can help each other. Promoting leaders from within Plainview has a positive impact on retention and growth of businesses and their management staff.”

She continued, “The business community, the non-profit organizations, and our educational and medical partners have made this program very beneficial and worthwhile to the participants. Their support of the Plainview Chamber is a vital part of how our community continues to be successful.”

Tim Hardage, Chamber president, general manager of Ray Lee Equipment, and co-owner of Rocket Aviation, commented. “Year-after-year, Leadership Plainview helps to promote the best of what Plainview has to offer, as well as to enlighten others on the challenges which we face in the community. The program’s success is credited to the continued interest of current and future leaders as class participants, as well as the overwhelming support of the local business community. We remain grateful for that steadfast enthusiasm and uncommon level of dedication.”

LEIGH ANN BRADLEY, executive director for the Plainview Area United Way. Prior to accepting that position in August 2015, Bradley served as a school librarian for eight years with the Plainview ISD. She is a member of Rotary Club and is an active Band Booster for PHS. She and her husband of 23 years, Kyle Bradley, have two sons: Payton, a sophomore at Metropolitan State University in Denver, and Carson, a sophomore at Plainview High. In her spare time, Bradley enjoys decorating, painting and spending quality time with her family. She is originally from Hobbs, New Mexico.

CHAD M. CAIN, executive director of admission and recruiting at Wayland Baptist University. Prior to serving in his current role, Cain worked in college admissions for over 15 years with jobs at Indiana University, Baylor University, Fuller Theological Seminary and Occidental College. A valedictorian graduate of Wayland, Cain holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and religion from WBU, together with a master’s degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. During his senior year at Wayland, Cain served as student body president and received top honors as their male citizen of the year. He and his college sweetheart, Meredith Runyan Cain, have three children: Abby, Sophie, and Liam. He is a native of Lubbock.

SYLVIA DELAGARZA, mobile crisis outreach supervisor for Central Plains Center. DeLaGarza has been with Central Plains since 2005 and has served in her current position there for about a year. She also serves as secretary and trustee on the Plainview ISD school board. DeLaGarza, a qualified mental health professional, holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement from South Plains College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Texas A&M, and a master’s degree in counseling from WBU. She and her husband Jeff have three daughters: Sandra, Stacey, and Stormie. DeLaGarza hails from Seagraves.

JORDAN DUNLAP, branch manager for Happy State Bank’s Plainview branch office. Dunlap began her career with Happy State in 2011 while still in college. Within six months she was promoted to customer service rep and was promoted again to CSR regional coach for all of the bank’s 34 branch locations soon thereafter. Dunlap has held her current position for about a year. She earned her bachelor of business administration degree at West Texas A&M. Dunlap is actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce’s ambassadors program, as well as Happy State Bank kids’ bank program for the College Hill and Plainview Christian Academy campuses. She is a native of Plainview.

MARK EDLIN, lineman with Rocket Aviation. Edlin moved to Plainview about 10 years ago to pursue collegiate studies at Wayland Baptist University. He graduated in 2011 with a bachelor of art’s degree in music, followed by an MBA in management in 2016. He has worked at the local airport for the past five years. He and his wife Ashley Hardage Edlin enjoy spending time with family and with their beloved dog Hondo. He is from Pueblo, Colorado.

KIM GRIEGO, customer service representative and lending assistant with Vista Bank. Griego began a career in banking about five years ago. She first hired on with McClain Bank in Norman, Oklahoma, before accepting a position with Vista in 2014. A graduate of Plainview High School, Griego actively volunteers locally with Meals On Wheels and Snack Pak 4 Kids. She enjoys spending quality time with her son Andrew. Griego was born and raised in Plainview.

MARIYA HAPIY, librarian of Unger Memorial Library. Prior to accepting her position at the local library last year, Hapiy worked for two academic libraries in Dallas. She served as a reference librarian at Richland Community College and as a digital collections librarian at Southern Methodist University. Hapiy, an elementary teacher in years past, holds a master’s degree in education and a master’s degree in information and library science from Texas Woman’s University. She is an active member of the American Library Association and the Texas Library Association. She and her husband Robert Hurst have one daughter Viktoriya. Hapiy is from Chortkiv, Ukraine.

PAUL KITE, assistant director of utilities for the City of Plainview. Kite is a 10-year veteran of the water industry. He first worked for the City of Amarillo before joining the City of Plainview as its water production superintendent in 2015. He promoted to his current post earlier this year. Kite earned a bachelor’s degree in management at Wayland Baptist University and is working toward a master’s degree in public administration. He holds a Class A Water License, one of a select few issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. He is a member of the Rotary Club and an instructor for the Texas Water Utility Association. Kite and his wife Amber have two children: Aydin and Adyson. He grew up in central Illinois.

VILASH K. “V. J.” KOTAIYA, managing director and CFO of Comfort Suites Plainview. Kotaiya, a local hotelier, has served in his current capacity for the past eight years since joining the Comfort Suites team. He earned an associate’s degree at Cerritos College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Cal State Long Beach. A native of the Fiji Islands, Kotaiya has called the United States home since the age of 8. He and his wife Devika have two daughters, Shyla and Navya. The young family moved to Plainview about nine years ago.

RANCE LOAFMAN, director of business operations for Sweep and Stripe Asphalt Solutions. Following a five-year stint in public education as a teacher and coach, Loafman assumed his present duties in 2014. While attending Abilene Christian University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science with a minor in business. Loafman is an active member of the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, volunteering as chairman of its business development committee. He, his wife Rachel, and his daughter Raelynn, recently rejoiced over the birth of newborn daughter Rory. Loafman is a native of Plainview.

JAVIER LOPEZ, plant commodities and logistics manager for White Energy, LLC. Lopez has been with the local ethanol producer since it first opened in 2008. In years past he served as an area manager for Wal-Mart Distribution from 1998 to 2006 and as a packing supervisor for Azteca Milling from 1990 to 1998 during which time he helped to open a new plant in Evansville, Indiana. Lopez successfully completed a two-year management training course at Zenger Miller University in San Antonio. He and his wife Irma enjoy spending time with their three sons, Javier Jr., Jacob, and Joshua. Lopez is originally from Plainview.

JAIME SALINAS, field services lieutenant with the Plainview Police Department. Salinas, a 22-year veteran of the local force, spent about 8 years in criminal investigations before accepting a transfer to his current post when the position’s scope was expanded earlier this year. He earned his peace officer credentials through the South Plains College Police Academy and continued his studies in criminal justice at West Texas A&M. During his off-duty hours, Salinas volunteers his time with Snack Pak 4 Kids, with Covenant Hospital visiting the sick, and with his church’s various outreach programs. He and his wife Sally have two children: Shawn and Katie. Salinas was born in Olton and grew up in the Plainview area.

Loafman and Dunlap received commendations for consistently exhibiting various highly polished leadership qualities. Bradley, DeLaGarza, Dunlap, Edlin and Hapiy were each recognized with superior attendance awards.

Class meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month beginning in September and continuing through May of the following year. Tuition is currently set at $350, which includes the cost of meals, charter bus transportation, framed diploma for those who complete the program, and other amenities. For information or an application, contact the Chamber at 806-296-7431.